Studying abroad is the first opportunity most young adults have to travel the world on their own. With all the excitement, it’s easy to make some mistakes.

These 13 errors are totally common and very avoidable. Take our advice, and you’ll have the best semester (or year) abroad. We promise.

1. Booking all your weekend trips in advance. One of the best parts of studying abroad is getting to explore nearby cities and countries. It’s tempting to book your adventures in advance, but it’s better to wait until you get there. Budget airlines and hostels are easy to book last minute and it’s fun to fly by the seat of your pants.

2. Not making a budget.You need a weekly budget for meals, bars, transportation and random pastry shop excursions. You need a travel budget for all those weekend trips. You also need a souvenirs and gifts-for-everyone-else budget. Get budgeting.

3. Not learning the language. Don’t assume anyone speaks English. Learn some basics before you go and take a language course while you’re there. You’ll come back with a cool skill and you’ll get a lot more respect from locals if you put some effort into communicating with them. . . . .